SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Sylacauga City Council voted to reject the proposed sales tax increase at their meeting on Tuesday night, May 2.
Four of the five council members voted against the tax increase with only Council President Ashton Fowler voting in favor of the change.
The council also failed to come to an agreement for the third straight occasion on appointing a new Board of Education member.
The city council held a public hearing to consider the annexation and zoning of property located at 415 Odena Rd. N.
They amended the development agreement with Wharf Casual Seafood Sylacauga LLC due to permit requirements with ALDOT and ADEM.
A recommendation from Police Chief Kelley Johnson was accepted to approve an increase in funding for equipment for new police cars in the amount of $7,684.63.
Another recommendation, this one from Mayor Jim Heigl, was accepted to approve a new Police Department Administrative Assistant job description, which replaces the former Police Department Records Clerk job description. They also set the salary for the Police Department Administrative Assistance at a grade of AO-6.
Jon Hall’s resignation from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals was accepted, and the council authorized the posting of the position’s vacancy.
A second recommendation from Mayor Heigl was accepted to approve a revised Building Inspector/Structural job description.
The city council authorized an agreement for up to five months with Aaron’s Cleaning and Disinfecting for disinfecting City Hall lobby and Faye Hosey Chambers four days per month in connection with Municipal Court at a cost of $900 per month.
They amended the Capital Improvement Special Funds budget to add funding for UKG payroll system in the amount of $39,907.75.
They also amended the FY23 budget to move funding from E&L Other Professional Fees (010-511-41580-000) in the amount of $19,065.60 to E&L Data Processing (010-511-45010-000).
The council accepted the recommendation of Police Chief Kelley Johnson to purchase furniture in the amount of $14,745.31 from Shoplet GSA.
Approval was given for payment of FY22 legal fees to Alexander Hyde in the amount of $1,120 from E&L Legal Fees Expense (010-511-41540-000).
Additionally, they approved a FY23 budget amendment to move funding from E&L Other Professional Fees (010-511-41580-000) in the amount of $15,000 to E&L Legal Fees Expense (010-511-41540-000).
Funding for Lake Howard Disc Golf in the amount of $40,346 was approved.
They approved the reappointments of Wayne Hall and Barry Vaughn to the Industrial Development Board for terms of six years ending April 15, 2029.
Also, the council appointed Brenda Minnifield to the Industrial Development Board for the same six-year term.
The city council appointed Stephanie Engle to the position of Animal Shelter Manager effective with the pay period beginning May 6, 2023. They also establish the starting salary for the Animal Shelter Manager at Grade AO-8.
Authorization was granted for Major Heigl to sign an agreement and release in reference to the settlement of case #CV-2021-900284.
Funding to Coosa Valley Medical Center was approved for Telemetry equipment and required training in the amount of $310,479.18.
Lastly, the council approved April Accounts Payable invoices received to date in the amount of $866,235.40.
The next Sylacauga City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m.
